United CordsKumihimo, Japanese Braiding

In Japanese crafts, braids are referred to as "united cords"
or Kumihimo.
All over the world, craftspeople have braided cords for thousands of years.
In Japan, braided cords were not just a decorative craft
or a clothing accessory,
but a military technology used to fasten weaponry and armor.
Several methods of making braids were developed,
and dozens of types of braid were created.

Personally, I have been braiding since 2008.
I specialize in using the round marudai braiding stand.
On average, I've made about one braid a week since then.
Some braiding patterns I have aonly tried once,
but others I have used to make dozens of braids.
I have constructed much of my own equipment.

Most of the braids I've made are constructed of eight strands or fewer.
When I want something more challenging or interesting,
I'll try a braid with sixteen or twenty-four strands.
There are thirty-two strand braids I have yet to try.